Play Latest Sermon:

Speak up or stand down? Have you ever had an occasion when you found yourself at the crossroads of either speaking up and defending your faith or standing down, and letting "things" slide by, In order to accomplish a greater work? What to do? It's a difficult decision that requires a discerning ear from you and I. There are times when in the course of everyday, free-flowing conversation we will hear partial truths, revised history, exaggeration, perversion, profanity, and even outright untruths! These conversations can take place everywhere: church, school, work, club, etc. and by anyone in our sphere of contacts! Make no mistake about it though, there is no mystery why you are exposed to this! As believers in Christ we are his workmanship! Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Let's consider that there are many who have wandered off the straight and narrow road who are living in open rebellion to God and yet are still in our life and seeking our validation, support and acceptance. When we don't speak up when we know better...we are complicit! Recently I found myself listening to a person that I have known and respected for many years sharing some very dangerous, and pervasive distortions of the Bible to others, including myself over a dinner meeting. Now when I started to hear these untruths and partial truths being spoken, my heart became troubled. It was like I had an immediate alarm go off that warned me that what I was hearing was heresy . I found myself feeling really uncomfortable and tempted to just let it go since no one else was speaking up. After all, I respected this person and didn't feel like "correcting" them. Yet..,God had a different plan... he told me to speak up in love, defend the faith and share the truth! I didn't want to... but I didn't hesitate! When God gives me a directive -I am on it! I don't wait, procrastinate, or ask anyone else if I should obey. I do it! Remember, delayed obedience is the same as disobedience! Now while the person was finishing their talk I was praying quietly to myself that God would direct my steps (through what I feared was a "mine field! ")I began speaking up ever so gently, and agreed where I could and clarified where I should, I saw some resistance at first, and prayed even more! God answered my prayer and when I was finished defending the Gospel, this person had a complete transformation (as if the blinders were removed) and now actually agreed with me and had come to see the error in their doctrine. Friends, I had my doubts at first and even began to question my ability to adequately "teach or correct" anyone! I just obeyed and followed and God delivered! Amen! Perhaps there are some in your circles who make a habit degrading your faith, who curse and use the Lord's name, etc. around you? Or maybe they have wandered off by their own free will away from the truth and are living a life of compromise! They accept everything, don't believe in absolute truth any longer, and expect you to validate that lifestyle? I understand that the social and political pressure is for everyone to accept and tolerate everything and yet we owe it to our brother and sister ensnared to share our hope and first love, Jesus Christ. I want to love the sinner and reject the yoke of slavery to sin! That means I stand for Jesus and won't fall for a life of compromise! Do you speak up or stand down? Speak up with the truth in love! John 8: 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Thanks for letting me share, Randy Young.